Access to Information Act.

The Act aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and public participation in government activities. It outlines the rights of individuals to access information held by public institutions and sets out the responsibilities of government agencies to provide such information. The Act defines information as any recorded or registered data, whether written, visual, audio, or in any other form. It also specifies that individuals have the right to access information about themselves, including personal details, documents, notes, communications, financial records, and more. Government agencies are required to publish certain information regularly, such as their functions, organizational structure, contact details, financial status, and services provided to the public. The Act also establishes a Commission for Access to Information to oversee the implementation of the Act and ensure compliance by government agencies. The document prohibits the disclosure of information that could endanger national security, public safety, or the privacy and safety of individuals. It also prohibits the disclosure of information that could harm Afghanistan's political, economic, or foreign relations.
Article 22 of the Act outlines responsibilities of the Commission that include monitoring the process of accessing information from government institutions, addressing complaints, providing advice, setting minimum standards for information regulation, and monitoring the implementation of the Act's provisions to ensure compliance. The Act provides that if the request for information is not addressed in accordance with the provisions of this Act or if applicants are dissatisfied with the actions of the administrative authorities, they have the right to lodge a complaint with the Commission. The Act consists of 41 Articles designed in 6 Chapters as follow: General provisions (1); Procedure to access information (2); Information dissemination (3); Commission (4); Complaints (5); Miscellaneous (6).